Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Vol. 1, p. 587
A son gave his mother a sacrificial animal (a ram or goat) for Qurbānī. Later, an argument occurred between them, and in anger, the mother returned the animal saying, “I do not accept this.” The son took the animal back. What is the ruling regarding the mother’s Qurbānī in this case?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd!
✿ If the mother possesses financial ability and can afford to purchase another animal, then it is better and more virtuous for her to buy a new animal and offer the sacrifice.
✿ However, if she lacks the means or does not have the strength or capacity to do so, she is excused.
Merely selecting or purchasing an animal for sacrifice does not make Qurbānī obligatory until it is actually offered.
﴿مَا عَلَى الْمُحْسِنِينَ مِن سَبِيلٍ﴾
“There is no blame upon those who do good.”
(Surah al-Tawbah: 91)
This verse indicates that when one acts with sincerity and goodwill but is unable to fulfill a deed due to circumstances, there is no sin upon them.
“If a person purchases an animal intending to offer it as a sacrifice or hady (offering during Ḥajj), the act of purchasing it does not make the sacrifice obligatory. This is the correct view according to me.”
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best what is right.
❖ Question:
A son gave his mother a sacrificial animal (a ram or goat) for Qurbānī. Later, an argument occurred between them, and in anger, the mother returned the animal saying, “I do not accept this.” The son took the animal back. What is the ruling regarding the mother’s Qurbānī in this case?
✿ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd!
✿ If the mother possesses financial ability and can afford to purchase another animal, then it is better and more virtuous for her to buy a new animal and offer the sacrifice.
✿ However, if she lacks the means or does not have the strength or capacity to do so, she is excused.
Merely selecting or purchasing an animal for sacrifice does not make Qurbānī obligatory until it is actually offered.
✿ Evidence from the Qur’an:
﴿مَا عَلَى الْمُحْسِنِينَ مِن سَبِيلٍ﴾
“There is no blame upon those who do good.”
(Surah al-Tawbah: 91)
This verse indicates that when one acts with sincerity and goodwill but is unable to fulfill a deed due to circumstances, there is no sin upon them.
✿ Statement of Imām al-Nawawī رحمه الله:
“If a person purchases an animal intending to offer it as a sacrifice or hady (offering during Ḥajj), the act of purchasing it does not make the sacrifice obligatory. This is the correct view according to me.”
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best what is right.
